Automatic time-accounting device.



A. APTHOMAS AUTOMATIC TIME ACCOUNTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, 1908. v 1,084,672, Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Wjibnesses:

A. A. THOMAS.

AUTOMATIC TIME ACCOUNTING DEVICE.

' APPLICATION FILED 11017.18, 1908.

1,084,672. Patented Jan.20, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

rvzeyla I I UNITED 's'rATns PATENT orr on;

ADOLPH A. THOMAS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

WILLIAM R. HEATH, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC TIME-ACCOUNTING DEVICE. 1'

Specification of Letters Patent. Patefited J 111.20,

Application filed November 18, 1908. Serial No. 463,143.

17b (ZZZ whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, AooLPrr A. THOMAS, a

citizen of the United States, {residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain, new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Time-Accounting Devices, of which the following, is

a full, clear, concise, and exact description,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates toelectrically oper-. ated time-accountingdevlces, and has'for its object the provision of a mechanism for antomatically taking account of a workmans time or wages. In devices of this kind, the arrangement is usually such that a workmans register is actuated periodically step by step, these periodic movements being controlled cither by a clock directly 01' by some clock-governed motor.

In the prior art the mechanisms that are used for periodically actuating the registers are so constructed that the actuations occur either at the beginning of a periodic interval. or at the end. For instance f a reglster is to be actuated every fifteen minutes, there would be four actuations every hour, no

matter whether the actuations occurat the beginning of the quarter or at the end. Let it be supposed that the actuations take place at the beginning of the quarter hour.' In this event for the hour, let us say, between seven and eight, the register would be actuated at 7.00, at 7.15, at 7.30 and at 7.45. By' this arrangement it will be seen that the workman is credited with fifteen minutes in advance during every quarter of an hour. The result of this would be that should a workman disconnect his register at 11.46, he would be credited with the full quarter between 11. 15 and 12.00, for thereason that the register was actuated at 11.45. On'the other hand,

should it be desired to escape this difliculty by causing the register to actuate at the end of a predetermined interval, so that the workman would be credited with a certain period only after such period had elapsed, then this difliculty arises: Let it be supposed that the beginning of the dayswork is at 7.00" and that the workmens registers are actuated at the endof every fifteen minutes,

so that the first actuation would occur at 7.15. Itis evidentthatthe workman who actuated at the beginning of apredeterinined interval or at the end of such i-nterval, it

- will be possible for a workman-to credithimself with time and wages to which lie isn0t entitled. Inventors al'ong "thisflinefh 've recognized this difficulty and there are ents in the art which shoivdevic'es for causing registrations 'to be made at the beginning as well as at the end of.periodic"intervals, and subsequently making proper corrections for the over-actuations. A concrete example willmake clear just what is meant: Assuming that theregister is to be operated once .every fifteen minutes, then, according to 'cer-v tain of the devices in the prior art, such a register would be operated at 7.00," at 7.15, at 7.30, at 7.115, and at 8.00. There would thus be five one-quarter hour actuations for every hour. The purposeof this is, of course, to compel the workman toflth'row in his register at the beginning of an interval,-

and not to throw it out before theend of the interval, if he is to be credited-withthat interval. By the above arrangement, if-a workman were to throw his register outof operation at any time between 7.15 and 8.00. he would not be credited with that interval for the reason-that there was no actuation sets his register in operation anytime before at 8.00. Obviously the result of such an arrangement is that the worknians time and .wage record at, the end of the day is too large. Accordingly, devices in which the actuations occur at the beginning and at the end of periodic inter als have'auxiliary arrangements whereby the w rkmans record, at certain times, is run backward a sutlicient amount to make the proper corrections. This is, {of course, an awkward and undesirable arrangcn'lent. The object of my present invention-is an electrically actuated device which operates the register at the endof periodic intervals with the provision that the-workman is required to close his switch at the beginning of an interval and'toieav'e it "infs'uc'h "closed position throughout the 'entire' intervaliin order that theremay be an actuation of the register at the end of the interval. The result of this is that although there is but one actuation during an intervahyet this actuation will not occur at the end of the interval unless the workmans switch has been closed at the beginning of the interval. F urthermore, according to my invention, it aworkman should during an interval throw his switch into open position, the mechanism will be automatically restored to an inoperative position whereby it would not be actuated at the end of the interval 'during which the switch was thrown open. These I when the workmans switch or i plug is in the opempositiong'Fig. 3 is a modified form-.of

; circuit-closing device, as herelnaftr explained; Fig. 4 is a modification of the ar rangement shown in Fig. 1 whereby the automatic restoration of the parts to inoperative position upon the ,movement of the workmans switch to open ,position is accomplished by electromagnetic means; and Fig.

5 is a fragmentary detailjgview of the arrangement shown in Fig. a, certain of the parts being shown in the position they assume upon the movement of the switchto open position.

Referring to Fig. 1, a ratchet Wheel 1 suitably supported has rigidly connected therewith a gear wheel 2, which is shown as being in mesh with a gear 3. This gear 3 engages with the worm wheel 4, which in turnis shown as being connected with the register 5. Of course, it will be understood that this operative connection betweenthe ratchet wheel 1 and the register 5' is more or less diagrammatic, and that any suitable connection may be employed whereby the movement of the ratchet wheel l will actuate a register. A bar or arm 6 is pivotally mounted at 7 upon ,the support 8. A pawl 9 pivotally mounted on the arm at 10 is arranged to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, as shown. A spring 11 suitably mounted upon the support 8 normally tendsto hold the arm 6 in the position in which itis shown in Fig. 1, a stop 12 limitmg the inward movement of the arm. On

the support 8 is also carried the electro-.

magnet 13. with which an armature 14 on the lower end of the arm 6 cooperates to actuate the arm outwardly, that is, into the position in which it -is shown in dotted lines, when the electromagnet is energized. This actuation of the arm 6 takes place only'when the arm is in an unlocked position,;in which position it is shown in Fig. 1. Theioutward movement of the arm is limited by a stop 15.

When the arm 6 is thus actuated by the electroinagnet, the pawl 9 carries the ratchet wheel 1 in the direction indicated by the the downwardly extending portion 18 on the detent engages with the top of the arm 6, whereby the latter is locked against movement. The detent--17 is provided with an armature 19 which cooperates with the electroni'agnet 20 to draw the detent 17 out of contact with the bar 6 when the electromagnet is energized. It will be observed that the detent 17 is at its outer end provided with an extension 21. WVhen the detent 17 is in its normal or looking position, the extension 21 is below the lateral displacement or projection 22 on the spring 23. This sp'ringis suitably supported at 24, and normally assumes the position in which it is shown in full lines in Fig. 1. Now, when the detent 17 is drawn upwardly by the elect-ro'magnet, the extension 21 will ride over the displacement 22 and force the spring into the position in which it is shown indotted lines in Fig. 1,-as indicated at 25. When the-extension 21 has ridden past the projection 22,,the spring will again assume its normal position, so that the extension 21 will at its outer end rest upon the displacement 22, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. From this it will be seen that when the detent 17 has once been drawn into its unlocking position it will be held in that position until released by means to be presently described. The movement of the detent 17 is limited by the stops 26 and 27. With so much of the description of the structural features of my device, let us now turn to the circuit arrangements; A suitable source of current 28, diagrammatically indicated in the drawings as a storage battery, has one side connected by the conductor 29 with the binding post 30. This binding post is on a support 31 which carries the spring contact 32. The other side of the battery is connected through a conductor 33 to the switch ter minal 34. The other switch terminal 35 is connected with the conductor 36 which leads to the point 37. One'end of the winding of the electromagnet 13( is connected through conductor 38 to the conductor segment 39 on the commutator or circuit-closer 40. The other'end of the winding of-the electromagnet 13 is connected through conductor 41 to the point 37. One end of the winding of electromagnet'20 is connected through conductor 42 to the conductor segment 43 of the circuit-closer 40. The otherend of the winding of electromagnet 20 is connected through conductor to the point 37 The sulating disk secured to a shaft 46.

mined interval the segment 39 will have traveled from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 to a position underneath the spring contact 32. Any suitable means may be employed for producing such peri odic rotation. In Fig. 1 I have shown an arm 47 secured to the shaft 46. This arm is provided with an extension 48 adapted to ride over the peripheral surface 49 of the cam 50. This cam is adapted to be rotated by clockwork in the direction indicated by the arrow." It will be observed that; during such rotation the'extension 48 will ride up on the cam surface, whereby the shaft 46, and with it the circuit-closer 40, will be moved forward slowly in an anti-clockwise direction during a predetermined interval, and suddenly backward at the end of an interval.

In order to understand best the operation of my device let it be assumed, for the sake of illustration, that the cam 50 makes one complete revolution every quarter of an hour. The angular position of the circuitcloser with respect to the contact 32 is that shown in Fig. 1 at the beginning of an interval. The corresponding position of the arm 47 andthe cam 50 is such that the extension 48 on the arm 47 .Will rest in the lowermost portion of the cam surface. Let it be assumed that with the parts in this their initial or starting position, the switch 45 is in its closed position, as shown in Fig. 1. It should-beremembered that the detent 17 will in this position of the parts be in its normal or locking position, as indicated in Fig. 2. Circuit willbe completed through the elcctron agnet 20 'asfollo'ws: from battery 28 to conductor 29, binding post 30, sup- 'ort 31, contact 32, segment 43, conductor 42, through the winding of electromagnet 20-, conductor 44, conductor 36, across the terminals'35; and 34 of switch 45, conductor 33, backto the other side of the battery. The energization of the'electromagnet 20 will attract the-armature 19, whereby the detent 17' willbe'moved out of contact with.

the bar 6, thus'releasing or unlocking the latter. As above stated, when the detent 17 has been drawn into its releasing position,

it will be held in that position-by reason of the engagement between thdextension 21 on thedetent and the lateral projection 22 on the spring 23. The circuit-closer 40 will during the interval be rotated at a speed such that at the end of the interval (at the end of fifteen minutes in the example assumed) the segment 39 will be under the contact 32, whereby circuit will be closed through the electroinagnet 13 as follows:

from one side of battery 28 to conductor 29, contact 32, segment 39, conductor 38, through the winding of electromagnet l3, conductor 41, conductor 36, across the switch terminals 35 and 34 of the switch 45, conductor 33, back'to the battery. This energi= zation of the electromagnet 13 causes the armature 14 on the arm 6 to be attracted,

v liereby the arm is actuated into the position in which it is partly'indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. As above explained, this outward movement of the upper portion of the arm 6 will cause thepawl 9 to actuate the ratchet wheel 1 a distance of one tooth, whereby the register is actuated through the connected gearing. It will be noted that the arm 6 is near its upper end pro'vided with a lug 51. When the arm 6 is actuated, the outer end of this lug will come into contact with the lower 'end of the spring 23, forcing the latter into the position in which it is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The result of this deflection of the spring 23 is that the lateral projection 22 is moved from under the extension 21 on the detent l7, permitting the detent to. drop against the lower stop 27. Upon denergi? zation of the electromagne't 13, the sprin 11 will force the arm inwardly back to its initial position. During this inward movement the curved surface 52 on the upper end of the arm 6 will ride over the correspondingly curved surface 53 on the extension 18 of the detent 17 This will of course rai e. the detent 17, but only a slight amount 11L"? sutficient to carry the extension 19 on the detent past the lateral displacement 22 on the spring 23, so that when the arm 6 has been moved to its initial position by the spring 11 the detent 17 will lock the arm, as clearly shown in F ig. 2. It will be seen from this that when the arm 6 is actuated, the detent 17 is automatically restored to its.

locking position, and that when the arm 6 is moved inwardly upon deenergization of the electromagnet 13 it will become immediately locked against further movement until again released through the action of the electromagnet 20 at the beginning of the next succeeding interval. Then at the end of the interval the segment 39 is under the brush or contact 32, the extension 48 on the arm 47 will be upon the uppermost portion of the cam 50, ready to drop back into the lower-. most portion to begin the next interval; so that while the circuit-closer 40 is moved slowly from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 to a position in which the segment 39 will be under the contact 32, the reverse movement will take place almost instantaneously at the end of the predetermined interval, whereby the circuit-closing device is restored to the position in which y it is shown in Fig. 1, ready to begin the next interval. Suppose now that a workman should remove his switch during aninterval. At any time during such interval the detent 17 will be held in its unlocking position shown in Fig. 1, for the reason that, as just explained, the electromagnet 20 will have been actuated at the beginning of the inttwal 'to draw -the detent into its unlocking position. Should the workman draw his plug from the closed position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 to the open position in which it is shown in Fig. 2, the extension 54 on the plug will carry with it the spring 23 into the position in which it is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 2. A hook portion 011 the end of the extension engages the spring 23 and draws the latter with it when the plug is withdrawn. This movement of the spring 23 into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2 upon movement ofethe switch to open .position will, of course,'permit the locking detent to drop into its normal or locking position, as shown in Fig. ,2. It will thus be seen that the opening of the switch automatically places the arm 6 in a locked or inoperativeposition, so that should the workman again close the switch during that same interval there would be no actuation of the arm 6 at the end of that interval because of the arm being locked. In this way, if a workman is to be credited for an interval, it is necessary that he close his switch at the beginning of the interval and leave it in such closed position during the entire interval. If a workman should be late inthe morning and close his switch, say, a little after 7.00, when he is required to report promptly at 7 .0O, then (in the example above used) there will be no actuation of his register at 7.15, which is the end of the first interval, for the reason that the electromagnet 20 w,as.not energized at the beginning of the interval, thatis at 7.00, to release the arm 6. Similarly, should a workman open his switch before theend of an interval, as for instance at 11.58, he would receive no credit during the interval between 1.1.45. and 12.00, for the reason that the register would not be; actuated for that interval before 12.00.

In lieu of the oscillating circuit-closer 40, one might employ the modified form of circuit-closer which I have shown in Fig. 3, whereby the same may be continuously rotated in one direction, instead of oscillated. This modified form of circuit-closer consists of an insulatingdisk 56 provided with we" sets of contact segments. the segments 57, 58, 59 and 60,.wh1le the One set comprises other set comprises the segments 61, 62, 63

and 64. The segments 57, 58, 59 and 60 are connected together by suitable conductors, shown diagrammatically at 65. The segments 61, 62, 63 and 64 are connectedtogether by aconductor 66, which, in Fig. 3, has been conveniently shown in the form of a ring. It will thus be seen that by substituting the circuit-closer 56 in place of the circuit-closer 40 in Fig. 1, the same result may be attained by continuously rotating the shaft 46 at the proper predetermined speed. As in the example above assumed, let it be supposed that an interval is to consist of fifteen minutes. closer 56 would be so arranged on the shaft 46 that at the beginning of an interval the contact brush 32 would be upon the segment 61. By connecting the common conductor Then the circuit-,.

66 with the conductor 42, circuit will at the;

it was with the employment of the oscillat ing circuit-closer 40. The distance between the segment 58 and the segment 62 (or, generally speaking, the distance between any segment of the'first set and its immediately adjacent segment of the second set) is such that almost instantaneously after the contact 32 has left the segment 58 it will make contact with the segment 62 at the beginning of the next interval, inorder to close the circuit through the electromagnet 20. ,Inother words, the interval represented in Fig. 1 by'the arm 47 dropping from its uppermost to its lowermost position is in Fig. 3 represented by the interval during which the contact 32 would leave segment 58 and engage segment 62.

It will of course be understood that the two forms of time-controlled circuitclosers herein shown are merely for the sake of illustration, and other forms equally welladapted to the purpose might suggest themselves to those skilled inthe art.

From the description of the operation of the arrangement shown in Figs 1 and 2, it

in Figs. 4 and 5, I have shown electrically.- operated means for restoring the detent 17 to its locking position when the workmans switch ismoved to open posit-ion. The form of switch shown in Figs. 4 and 5 has two connecting portions 67 and 08. When the switchis in its closed position, as shown in the sprin Fig. 4, the connecting portion 67 spans the 4 switch terminals 35 and 34. As explained in connection with Fig. l, with the switch in its closed osition, the electromagnet will at the beginning ofan interval be energized to draw the detent 17 into unlocking position. In Fig. 4 the detent is shown in such unlocking position, being held therein 10 23, all as previously explaine Suppose t iat the workman should move his switch to open position, that is to say, into the position in whichit is shown in Fig. 5.

Upon a comparison of the two positions of the switch, as shown in these two figures, it will'be observed that durin the movement f of the switch from one position to the other,

*battery. This energization of the electrothe connecting ortion 68 will spanv the terminals 69 and, 0. When this takes lace,

circuit through the electromagnet 72 is es magnet 72 attracts the armature 76 carried on the spring 23, whereby the latter is de-' Tfie'cted toward the electromagnet 72. This deflected position of thespring 23 is precisely the same as that shown in dotted lines in Fig. l or in full lines in Fig. 2. When so .deflected'the spring 23 permits the detent 17 to drop into its locking position, as-

shown-in Flgl 5. .The. switch shown in Figs. 4 and 5 may be so arranged that it will not remain in the position in which the connect- .ing portion 78 spans the terminals 69 and 70, In order to prevent closing of the circuit through the electromagnet 72 for an unnecessary length of time. Any suitable spring attachment maybe devisedfor compelling movement of the switch so that the connecting portion 68 will when the switch is incite closed'po'sition be moved beyond the terminals 69 and 70, as shown in Fig. 5.

' While .I have shown my invention in two specific forms, I would have it understood a at such illustration is merely by Way. of example, andthat many modifications may be resorted to in. various details and still inest clude the essence of my inventionl Having-thusdescribed my invention, what Idesire toyclaim as new and secure by Let- :ters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In aregister-actuating device, the combination of a ratchet wheel, electrically op- 1 erated mechanism for eriodically actuating the sameat the end- 0 predetermined intervals,.means for normally holding sa1d.mechanism inan inoperative position, and elec- .erated at end of an interval.

tromagnetic means energized at the beginnmg of an interval to actuate said hol ing means, whereby said mechanism may be op- 2. In aregisteractuating device, the combination of a ratchet wheel, electrically operated mechanism for periodically actuating the same at the end of predetermined intervals,.locking means for normally preventing operation of said mechanism, and an electromagnet adapted to be energized at the beginning of an interval to disengage said locking'means from said mechanism to permit actuation of said mechanism at the end of the intervaL,

3. In a register-actuating device, the combination of a ratchet wheel, a pivoted arm associated therewith, a alwl carried by said arm to actuate said rate at wheel, a register adapted to be actuated by the movement of said ratchet wheel, means for normally holding said arm in a locked position, electromagnetic means for periodically actuating said arm at the end of redet'ermined intervals, and electromagnetlc means actuated at the beginning of an interval to render said 'lockin means inefiective during the interval, w ereby actuation of said arm is per- .mitt'ed at-the end of the interval to operate the ratchet wheel.

4. In a register-actuating device, the combination of a ratchet wheel a pivoted arm associated therewith, a pawlcarried by said arm to actuate said ratchet wheel, a

register adapted to be actuated by-the movement of said ratchet wheel, a detent nor-- mally engaging said arm to hold it in a locked position, an electromagnet adapted to be periodically energized at the beginning of predetermined intervals to disengage said detent from said arm, and electromagnetic means adapted to actuate said arm at the end of an interval, provided said arm has been unlocked at the beginning of the interval. p v

'5. In a register actuating device the .combination of a ratchet wheel, electrically operated mechanism for periodically actuating the same at the end of predetermined intervals, locking means for normally pre venting operation of 'saidmechanism, an

electromagnetadapted to be energized at i the beginning of an interval to dlsengage .said locking means from said mechanism to permit actuation of said mechanism at the end of the interval, and means for auto: matically restoring said locking means to its operative position when said mechanism is actuated.

6. In a register-actuating device, the combination of a ratchet'wheel, a pivoted arm associated therewith a pawl carried by said arm to actuate said ratchet wheel, a

register adapted to be actuated by the move-- ment of said ratchet wheel, means for Q01- mally holding said arm in a.locl ed'pos1t1on, electromagnetic-means forv perlodically actuating said arm at the end of .predeterminedintervals, electromagnetic means acarm is permitted at the end of the interval to operate the ratchet wheel, and means for automatically restoring said locking means to its operative position when said arm is actuated.

7.'In a register actuating device, the corixbination of a ratchet wheel, apivoted arm associated therewith, a pawl carriedby said arm to actuate said ratchet wheel, a register adapted to be actuated by the movement of said ratchet wheel, a detent normally engaging said arm to hold it in' a locked position, an elect-romagnet adapted to be periodically energized at the beginning of predetermined intervals to dis engage said detent from said arm, electromagnetic means adapted to actuate said arm at the end of an interval, provided said arm has been unlocked at the beginning of the interval, and means for automatically restoring said detent to its locking position when said arm is actuated.

8. The combination'of a register, mechanism for operating the same, electromagnetic means adapted tobe energized at the end of periodic intervals for actuating said mechanism, locking means engaging said mechanism for normally preventing operation thereof, and electromagnetic means adapted to be energized at the beginning of an interval to disengage said locking means from said mechanism to permit actuation of said mechanism at the end of the interval.

-9. The combination of a register, mechanism for operating the same, electromagnetic means adapted to be energized at the end of periodic intervals for actuating said mechanism, locking means engaging said mechanism for normally preventing operation thereof, electromagnetic means adapted to be energized at the beginning of an interval to disengage said locking means from 7 said mechanism to permit actuation of said mechanism at the end of the interval, and means for restoring said mechanism to its locked position upon deenergization of said first-mentioned electron". agnetic means.

1 1 0. In a registeractuating device, the combination of a ratchet wheel, a pivoted arm associated therewith, a pawl carried by said arm to actuate said ratchet wheel, a register adapted to be actuated by the movement of said ratchet-wheel, means for normally holding said arm in a locked position, electromagnetic means fofperiodieally actuating said arm at'the end of predetermined intervals, electromagnetic means actuated at the beginning of an intervalto render said locking means ineifective during the interval, whereby actuation of said arm is permitted at the end of the interval to operate the ratchet wheel, and means for automatically restoring said arm. to its locked posicombination. of a ratchet wheel, a pivoted arm associated therewith, a pawl carried by said arm to actuate said ratchet wheel, a

register adapted to be actuated by the movement of said ratchet wheel, a detent normally engaging said arm to hold it in a locked position, an electromagnet adapted to. be periodically energized at the beginning of predeterminedintervals to disengage said detent from said arm, electromagnetic means adapted to actuate said arm at the end of an interval, provided said arm has been unlocked at the beginning of the interval, and means for automatically restoring said arm to its locked position upon deenergization of said electromagnetic means.

12. In a register-actuating device, the combination of a;- ratchet wheel, a pivoted arm associated therewith, a pawl carried by said arm to actuate said-ratchet wheel, a register adapted to be actuated by the movement of said ratchet wheel, a detent normally engaging said arm to hold it in a locked position, an electromagnet adapted to be periodically energized atv the beginning of predetermined intervals tordise'ngage said detent from said arm, means for holding said detent in its disengaged position, electromagnetic means adapted to actuate said arm at the end of an intervahandmeans for automatically restoring said. detent to its ocking position when said arm is actuate 13. In a register-actuating device, the combination of a ratchet wheel, a pivoted arm associated therewith, a pawl carried by said arm to actuate said ratchet Wheel, a register adapted to be actuated by the movement of said ratchet wheel, a detent normally engaging said arm to hold it in a locked position, an electromagnet adapted to be periodically energized at the beginning of predetermined intervals to disengage said detent from said arm, means for holding said detent in its disengaged position, electromagnetic means adapted to actuate said arm at. the end of an interval, means for automatically restoring said detent to its locking position when said arm is actuated, and means for restoring said arrnto its locked position upon deenergization of said electromagnetic means.

1,4. In a register-actuating device, the combination gif a pivoted arm, means for normally holding the same locked against actuation, an electromagnet for moving said locking means upon energization to unlock said arm, and an electromagnet for actuating said arm to operate the register.

15. In a register-actuating device, the combination of a movable arm, means for locking the same, a pair of electromagnets associated therewith, one of said electro- 'magnets being adapted to actuate said arm,

and means whereby the other of. said electromagnets controls said'locking means to permit or to preventactuationof said movable arm. p

16. In a register-actuating device, the combination of a movable arm, a pair of electromagnets' associated therewith, energizing circuits for said electromagnets, a

switch for controlling said circuits, means whereby said electromagnets must be energized alternately to actuate said arm for operating the register, and means whereby the opening of said switch prevents the operation of said arm upon the next succeeding energization of either of said electromagnets-When the switch is closed again.

The combination with register-operabing mechanism, of a pair of electromagnets, energizing circuits therefor, a switch for controlling saidmircuits, means requiring said electromagnets to be energized alternately for actuating said mechanism, and

' means whereby the opening of said switch prevents the operation of said mechanism i upon the next succeeding energization of 1 elther of said electromagnets, when the switch is closed again.

18. In a register-actuating device, the combination of a register, a movablearm, means cuit-closer forperiodically closing the cir-' for normally locking the same, an electromagnetfor controlling said locking means, a second' electromagnet for actuating said arm when unlocked, circuits for energizing. said electromagnets, a time-controlled circuit through sa d first-mentioned electromagnet at the beginning of predetermined intervals, whereby said locking means releases said arm, means for holding said look .ing means in lts releaslng posltion durlng an interval, said circuit-closercausing said second electromagnet to be energized at the end of an interval, whereby said arm is actuated to operate the register, and means for automatically restoring said arm to its locked position upon deenergization of said second electromagnet.

19. In a register-actuating device, the com bination of a pivoted arm having a pawl, a ratchdt wheel adapted to be actuated by-said pawl, a register connected with said ratchet wheel to be -operatedthereby, a detent for normally holding said arm. locked, an elec- .tromagnet for disengaging said detent from said 'armto. unlock the same, a second e1ec- 1 tromagneffor actuating said arm when unlocked, circuits forenergizing said electromagnets, a time-controlled circuit-closer for periodically closing the circuit through said first-mentioned electromagnet at..--the beginningof predetermined intervals, .whereby said detent releases-said arm, means for holding said detent in its unlocking position during an interval, said circuit-closer ergized at the end of an interval, whereby said arm is actuated to operate the register, and means for automatically restoring said arm to its locked posit-ion upon deenergization of said second electromagnet.

20. In a register-operating mechanism, the combination of an actuating arm, means for normally holding the same locked, an elec- 'tromagnet for moving said locking means to releasing position, an energizing circuit for said electromagnet, a switch in said circuit, a time-controlled circuit-closer for pcriodically closing the circuit through said electromagnet at the beginning of predetermined intervals, when said switch is closed, to unlock said arm, means for holding said locking means in its releasing position, and means for automatically restoring said locking means to normal position upon opening of said switch.

21. In a register-operating mechanism, the combination of an actuating'arm, a detent normallyengaging said arm to hold the same locked, an electromagnet for disengaging said detent from said arm to unlock the same, an energizing circuit for said "electromagnet, a switch in said circuit, a time-controlled circuit-closer -for periodically closing the circuit through said electromagnet at the beginning of, predetermined intervals, When said switch is closed, to unlock said arm, means for holding said detent' in its unlocking position, and means forautomatically restoring said detent to its normal or looking position upon opening of said switch. Y l

22. In a register-operating mechanism, the combination of an actuating arm, means for normally holding the same locked, an electromagnet for moving said locking means to releasing position, an energizing circuit for said electromagnet, a switch in said circuit, a time-controlled circuit-closer for periodically closing the circuit through said electr'omagnet at the beginning' ofpredetermined intervals, when said switch is closed, to unlock said arm, means for holding said locking means in its releasing position, and electromagnetic means for automatica'lly restoring said locking means to normal position upon opening of said switch.

causing said second electromagnet to be en-.

23. In a register-operating mechanism,-

the combination of an actuating arm, a'detent noimally engaging said arm to hold the same locked, arr electromagnet for disengaging saidgdetent from said arm to unlock the same, an energizing circuit for said electromagnet, aswitch in said circuit, a timec'ontrolled circuit-closer for periodically closing the circuit through said electromagnet at the beginning of predetermined intervals,

ing said locking means in such position, a

second electromagnet associated with said, arm for actuating the same, energizing circuits for said electromagnets, a switch for said circuits, a time-controlled circuit-closer for periodically closing the circuit through said releasing electromagnet at the beginning of predetermined intervals and through said actuating electromagnet at the gid of,

said intervals, when said switch is closed, means for automatically restoring said arm to its locked position upon de'e'nergizatiom of said actuating electromagnet, and means for automatically restoring said locking means" to normal position upon opening of i said switch.

25. In a register-operating mechanism, the combinationjof an actuating arm, means for normally holding the-same locked, an electromagnet for moving said locking means to releasing'position, means forholding said locking means in such position, a

second electromagnet associated with said arm for actuating the same, energizin circuits for said electromagnets, ajswltcii for said c rcuits, a time-controlled circuit-closer for periodically closing the'circuit through said releasing electromagnet at the begin- .1 and electromagnetic means fonautomatically ning; ;of.' predetermined intervals and throughs'aid actuating electromagnet at theend of. said intervals," when said switch is closed, means for automatically restoring said arm ,to its locked position upon dener- 'gization of said actuating electromagnet,

' restoring said locking means to normal position upon opening of said switch.

26, In a register pperating mechanism, the combination of an actuating arm having a pawl, a ratchet wheel adapted to be actuated by said pawl, a register connected with said ratchet wheel to be operated thereby, a

pivoted detent for normally holding said arm locked, an electromagnet for moving said detent to releasing position, spring means for holding said detent in such position, asecond electromagnet associated with said arm for actuating the same, energizing circuits for said electromagnets, a switch for said circuits, a time-controlled circuit-closer :for periodically closing the circuit through said releasingelectromagnet atthe beginning of predetermined intervals and through "said actuating electromagnet at the end 6r -said switch.

said intervals, when said switch is closed, means for automatlcally restoring said arm -to its locked position upon deenergization of said actuating electromagnet, and means for automatically restoring said detent to locking position upon opening of said switch.

27. In a register-operating mechanism,

the combination of an actuating arm having a pawl, a ratchet wheel adapted to be actuated by said pawl, a register connected with said ratchet wheelto be operated thereby, a pivoted detent for normally holding said arm locked, an" electromagnet for moving said detent 'to releasing posit-ion, spring means for holding said detent in such posi- 'tion, a second electromagnet associated with sa d arm for actuating the same, energizing circuits for said electromagnets, a switch for said circuits, a time-controlled circuit- ;closer for periodically, closing the circuit through said releasing electromagnet at the beginning of. predetermined intervals and through said actuating electromagnet at the end of said intervals, when said switch is closed, means for automatically restoring said arm to its locked position upon deenergization of said actuating electromagnet, and electromagnetic means for automatically restoring said detent to locking position upon opening of said switch.

28. In a register-operating mechanism, the combination of a movable arm, means for normally holding the same locked, an electromagnet for moving said locking means into releasing position, means for holding said lock-ingrmeans in such position, an energizing circuit for said electromagnet, a switch for said circuit, and means 'for automatically restoring said locking means to normal position upon opening of 29. In a register-operating mechanism,the combination of a movable arm held nor- "mally in an inoperative position, a pair of electromagnets associated therewith, ener- -gizing circuits for said electromagnets, and means whereby the energizat on of one of said electromagnets places said armin an operative position, while the energization of the other electromagnet actuates said arm to operate the register. 4

30. The combination of register-actuating mechanism held normally in an inoperative position, electromagnetic means operated at the beginning of predetermined intervals to place said mechanism in an operative position, and electromagnetic means adapted to be operated at the end of an interval to ac-' tuate said'mechanism.

31. The combination of register-actuating mechanism, means for normally holding the same locked against operation, an electromagnet adapted to be energized at the beginning of predetermined intervals for moving said locking means into releasing position, said locking means being held in such position during the interval, and an electromagnet adapted to be energized at the end of an interval to actuate said mechananism.

32. The combination of register-actuating mechanism, means for normally holding the same locked against operation, electromagnetic means for periodically actuating said mechanism at the end of predetermined intervals, and electromagnetic means actuated at the beginning of an interval to render said locking means inefi'ective during the interval, whereby actuation of said mechanism is permitted at the end of the.interval.

33. The combination of register-actuating mechanism, means for periodically actuating the same at the end of predetermined intervals, means for normally preventing operation of said mechanism, electromagnetic means adapted to be actuated at the beginning of an interval to permit actuation of said mechanism at the end of the interval, and means for automatically restoring said preventing means to operative position immediately upon actuation of said mechanism.

34. The combination of register-actuating mechanism, a pair of electromagnets associated therewith, means requiring said electromagnets to be energized alternately to actuate said mechanism, and means whereby the denergization of either of said electromagnets causes said mechanism topbecome locked.

35. The combination of register actuating mechanism, electromagnetic means for controlling the actuating mechanism to advance the register a desired amount in a given time, and devicesfor locking the said actuating mechanism after each actuation.

36. The combination of-a register-actuating mechanism, means for normally holding the same locked against operation, electromagnetic means for actuating said mechanism when unlocked, a switch in the energizing circuit of said electromagnetic means, and means for automatically restoring said mechanism to locked position upon opening of the switch.

37. In combination, a register, electromagnetic means for operating the register, lock-' ing devices, and an electromagnet for moving the locking devices to releasing position.

38. In combination, a register, actuating mechanism, and electro-magnetic devices for locking and unlocking said mechanism for each operation of the register.

39. In combination, aregister,'actuating mechanism, electromagnetic mechanism for determining operative and inoperative intervals for said mechanism, and devices for locking and unlocking said mechanism for each operation of the register.

40. In combination, a register, actuating mechanism, electro-magnetic mechanism for determining operative and inoperative intervals for said mechanism, and electromagnetic devices for locking and unlocking said mechanism for each operation of the register during said operative intervals.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 16th day of November, 1908.

A DOLPI-I A. THOMAS.

Witnesses FRED W. KoEHN, ALBERT C. BELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C." 

